Month: December 2016

As we move into the cold season, we’d like to give drivers some winter maintenance tips for getting through the freezing cold temperatures without incident. Follow these tips to stay safe this winter season.

If you’re using all-season wiper fluid, it’s possible you’re at risk for a nasty surprise when it accidentally freezes on your windshield. Opt to replace your usual wiper fluid with a winter-grade kind.

Keep Your Tank Full

You never know when you’ll have an emergency on your hands, so don’t let your gas tank get too low in the colder months.

Check Your Tires

Cold temperatures cause tires to lose pressure faster. Plus, you should also make sure your treads are deep enough to brave slippery roads.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Emergencies happen, so make sure you have supplies like blankets, water, flashlights, and jumper cables on hand in case you end up stuck.

Follow these winter maintenance tips to get your car ready for hazardous weather conditions in the cold months!

For the past decade or so, Ford and Chevrolet have been collaborating on new transmissions designed to deliver more power while using less fuel. Ford has already been showing off the fruits of these labors now that the brand’s 10-speed transmissions are debuting in Ford’s lineup, but Chevrolet recently unveiled a new efficient transmission that’s bound for the Malibu, Cruze Diesel model, and the new Equinox. It’s reportedly going to be a nine-speed automatic.

Chevy representatives told the media that the new transmission, which is likely to eventually replace the current six-speed, will boost fuel economy 2%. While that number doesn’t necessarily sound very high right now, that’s a statistic that will add up over time. It’s also another step towards achieving the goal of better efficiency in the face of tightening government standards and restrictions regarding automobile fuel economy.

One of the most interesting things about the new efficient transmission from Chevy is that, while it has 50% more gears to support smoother shifting and engine stop-start systems, it is roughly the same size of the current six-speed automatic transmission and will only add 22 lbs to the vehicle, preserving fuel economy and performance even further. The 2017 Malibu already offers the new transmission, while the Cruze Diesel and 2018 Equinox will have it as an option next year.